The biggest prizes of the LGCT leg in Paris were already awarded but there were still quite some victories to catch. The CSI5* 1.55m UAE President Cup Challenge concluded the five star action in the capital of France and had a French victory in the City of Lights.
Only a mere five combinations out of the more than thirty-five starters managed to stay clear in the initial round. Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and the 9-year-old Precious Dwerse Hagen (Cornet Obolensky) clocked the fastest time in the jump-off, but a rail on the ground kept the duo from victory. Only Marc Dilasser (FRA) managed to keep the rails up in the saddle of the Mylord Carthago mare, Make my Day Z du Gevres in front of his home crowd.
In third place came the French Aurelien Leroy with Croqsel de Blaignac (Ugano Sitte). The top five was further complemented by Belgian breeding products. Kosmo Hof Ter Boone (Arko III), bred by Johan Vandamme and Marleen Covereur, took fourth place with LGCT Grand Prix of Paris 2024 winner Jeanne Sadran. The BWP stallion Le Coultre de Muze (Presley Boy) secured fifth place under Philippe Rozier.
A beaming Marc Dilasser spoke of taking the win in the final 5* showdown of the 2024 edition of the Longines Global Champions Tour. He said, “It is crazy to win in front of a French crowd, and the Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping, Longines Global Champions Tour, is one of the best shows in France!”
Make my Day Z du Gevres is just a nine-year-old, and Dilasser went on to add, “This is the first big 5* class for my mare, and I am so proud of her.”